This year, the Department of Psychology faculty nominated two undergraduate students for the College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Medalist in the Natural Sciences: Sarrah Khan and Zac Petrillo. In addition to receiving these nominations, they were also selected as the student speakers for the Department of Psychology's 2026 Undergraduate Graduation Celebration.
In her remarks, Sarrah reflected on the importance of recognizing that each person's experience of the world is unique. Drawing on lessons from psychology and her own journey at UW, she encouraged graduates to remain open to new perspectives, challenge assumptions, and help create spaces where a broader range of voices and experiences can be heard. Her message emphasized that growth, learning, and innovation happen when we expand our understanding beyond our own worldview.
Zac brought humor and authenticity to the stage as he addressed one of the most common questions graduates face: "What's next?" He reminded the Class of 2026 that there is no single correct path after graduation. Whether pursuing employment, graduate school, or taking time to explore new opportunities, each graduate's journey will be different. His message encouraged graduates to embrace their individual paths with confidence and to recognize the strong foundation of support and learning they have received from the Psychology community and the University of Washington.
Together, their speeches celebrated the value of diverse perspectives, the courage to forge one's own path, and the bright futures awaiting the Class of 2026.
To learn more about these exceptional graduates, we asked Sarrah and Zac to reflect on their UW experiences and the journeys that brought them to this moment.
Sarrah Khan
What was your favorite memory as a psychology major?
There are so many memories, I can't just pick one! I remember sitting in social psychology (PSYCH 345) as a first-year student with Dr. Wilkins and connecting with research on cultural differences in identity development, which was what first got me interested in doing research in psychology! I also remember going to my first conference (Society for Research on Adolescence), where I connected with other undergraduate researchers, and going to a doctoral program felt attainable for the first time! My favorite memory from this year was probably presenting my psych honors thesis at the undergraduate research symposium, because I got to show my friends outside of psychology what research in psychology looked like!
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
While I am incredibly proud of completing my honors thesis, I'm probably most proud of myself for challenging myself to take a graduate-level class! I took the grad-level version of adolescent development, and that class broke my brain. It pushed me to critically connect readings and theories, apply class content to my own research, and scrutinize study methods.
Who would you like to thank?
I have not had a single psychology professor who was not incredibly supportive and encouraging. I thank you ALL! Thank you especially to: Lucía Magis-Weinberg and the interACT lab (Kimberly, Danny, Yonatan!!) for giving me my start in research and supporting my growth. Without them, I would have never considered research, let alone digital media research! Dr. Cheryl Kaiser and MJ Schneider, you were incredible mentors for my psychology thesis and integral to my growth as a student and thinker. Thank you to Dr. Laura Little and Dr. Debbie Paulsen for making statistics in psychology so accessible and approachable! Finally, Dr. Wu, for being such a supportive mentor in the PUMP program and giving me a space to sort through my anxieties about the future!!
Zac Petrillo
What was your favorite memory as a psychology major?
In April of 2025, I had the opportunity to travel with my lab mates to present at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research in Pittsburgh. I had never thought research was something that I could see myself doing as a real profession, but this trip completely changed my mind. I was immersed in a huge scientific community that encouraged me and my colleagues to spread our knowledge, and this experience has continued to inspire me as I go further into academia in psychology. I also got to explore a completely new city and hang out with some of my awesome friends, so it was truly one of the best memories from my time in undergrad!
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Graduating in three years! There were many times where it felt like graduation was impossible when balancing research, multiple jobs, and the general stress of living on my own for the first time. However, with the support of a lot of my professors, friends, family, and mentors, I was able to make this experience fulfilling while graduating an entire year early.
Who would you like to thank?
There are so many people I would like to thank! First off, my friends and family have always been my rock throughout this entire journey, and I don’t know where I would be without them. They have shaped me into the person I am today, and for that I am so grateful. In addition, there are many members of the psychology faculty team that I would like to thank. Tabitha Kirkland and Lauren Graham showed me what it is like to fall in love with education all over again, with some of the most valuable learning opportunities I have ever had in this field. Debbie Paulsen pushed me to adore statistics, pursue data science, and, most importantly, was always a ray of sunlight during some of my hardest days. Finally, I would like to thank my mentors at the Genetic Risk and Neurodevelopment (GRaND) Lab: Mahnoor Hyat and Jennifer Forsyth. These two have been incredibly supportive in my postgrad planning, and I am so grateful to continue working for them after I graduate.